The Cardinals received a 2015 MLB draft pick in Round A, which occurs between the first and second round, through the competitive balance lottery. (Round B occurs between the second and third rounds.)

The lottery awards extra picks to the 10 teams with the smallest revenues and the 10 in the smallest markets, a category that includes the Cardinals despite their success in recent years.

“It will just make it that much sweeter when we get to a point where we can compete with them and, ultimately, we hope, prevail,” Epstein said. “Because it’s not necessarily the type of thing that they need, given their performance on the field and off the field. They do a fantastic job. It just doesn’t seem like something they need at this point.”

Odds are calculated in reverse order of last year's standings, meaning the Cardinals were the least likely team to receive a Round A pick but still received the No. 3 selection. The Cubs were not eligible to be in the lottery.

The Cardinals have made the playoffs 11 times since 2000, winning the World Series in 2011 and 2006. The Cubs haven't made the playoffs since 2008.